Control mechanism



July 31, 1928. 1,678,658

M. w. THOMAS ET AL CONTROL MECHANI SM Filed April 6, 1925 ,z 3 FL 470 i i Jd 440G 380 Y I 1 235d 351: I 1 m y is; Tm. 4. 1 1 l I i 3 6 3 9a 18b wventozs Patented duly 31,1928. f I 1,678,658

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. I

MILEY' THOMAS AND PAUL H. HAMILTON, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOBS TO THE SANDS MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

CONTROL MECHANISM.

Application filed April 6, 1925, Serial No. 21,164.

This invention relates to an apparatusfon Fig. is a view on the line 55 of heating a fluid, such as water,to any desired Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the ardegree of temperature for use for vary ng rows. purposes; more particularly the invention Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view showing the 5 relates to the automatic control or shut-off elements in their positions when the pilot of the medium that is utilized to heat the burner is lighted. water, whereby waste thereof is prevented In the drawings, 1 indicates a tank or-conand danger of. fire and explosion avoided. tainer for holding the fluid, such as water, to For illustrative purposes, the invention is be heated. The tank 1 may be supported on 0 shown in connection with a water heater of one or more legs 1". 2 indicates a heating the storage type; but obviously it may be means. In the form of construction shown, applied to other forms or types of constructhe heating means2 is disposed at one side tion. of the tank 1, but it is obvious that it may be Theinvention is, in the illustrated embodimounted below the tank. The heating means 15 ment thereof, associated with a supply pipe 2 is preferably of a construction capable of for the combustion medium, in which is inusing a suitable combustion medium in terposed a valve and thermostatic means, gaseous form, such as natural or artificial that are acted upon by the rise and fall of gas. In this form of construction the heatthe temperature in the fluid tank, to control ing means may comprise a jet or a plate hav- 20 the valve and its object is to provide means ing a plurality of jets 3, connected to a supfor shutting off the supply of the oombusply pipe 4 by means of a mixing chamber 15 tion medium in the event the pilot goes out, and a casing 5, terminating at its upper "either by accident or otherwise. end in an exhaust pipe 6. The casing 5 en- Another object of the invention is to procloses a coil 7 connected at its opposite ends 25 vide a control means for the combustion with the tank 1, whereby the water therein medium having improved means associated may circulate through the coil 7 due to the with the pilot burner and through which the heating of the water in the latter, and back heat of the burner is conducted to maintain to the tank and thus be stored therein in the control means in inoperative position heated condition. .8 indicates a supply pipe 39 without causing or permitting the accumu leading frbm the source of water supply and lation of carbon on the burner; so that the 9 indicates the discharge water pipe leading pilot burner will burn continuously and thus to any desired point. 10 indicates a su ply insure the lighting and re-lighting of the pipe for the combustion medium, such as main burner or heating means. gas, suitably connected to 'a hollow boss 11 35 Another object of the invention is to proextending from one side, preferably the upvide an improved control means for a comper side, of a casing 12, the purpose of which bustion medium, wherein certain elements will be later set forth. 13 indicates a h0lthereof are enclosed within a casingflforming low boss arranged at another side (prefa unitary part of the thermostatic and valve erably the lower side) of the casing 12 and 40 mechanisms to protect them and to insure having connected to it a pipe 14 which is their positive operation. connected to the pipe 4.

Other objects of the invention will be The casing 12 houses an operating mechapparent to those skilled in the art to which anism, indicated as an entirety at 16, for a our invention relates from the following devalve mechanism 17. The operating mecha- 4 scription taken in connection with the ac- *nism is controlled automatically by a ther- 5 compa-nying drawings, wherein mostat 18, which preferably extends through Fig. 1 is an elevation of an apparatus emthe wall of the tank 1 so as to be surroundedbodying our invention. by the water therein, whereby its tempera- Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary secture will efiect expansion and contraction of 50 tional view, the parts being shown in opone or both of its elements to actuate the erated position. operating mechanism (or certain elements Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of thereof) in one direction or permit their Fig. 2. movement in the opposite direction. The

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of thermostat may comprise a tube 18" formed 55 Fig. 2. F I

of copper or other material having a rela- 11o \mech'anism 17 is tively high coefficient of expansion and a rod 18 formed of a material which is substantially incapable of expansion under the influence of heat. As shown, the outer end of the tube 18 fits within a sleeve 19 having a threaded collar fitting a screw threaded opening 20 formed in the wall of the tank 1.. The inner end of the tube 18 is connected to the. head of a screw 21 which fits a threaded opening in the inner end of the rod 18", thereby adjustably connecting the elements 18, 18", together. The outer end of therod 18 engages with the operating mechanism 16 to actuate it, when the tem perature of the water in the tank 1 falls due to coo-ling thereof or discharge of water through the pipe 9 (which lowering of temperature causes a contraction of the tube 18 and movement of the rod 18 toward the left as viewed in Figs. 2 and 4).

e The operating mechanism 16 for the valve preferably substantially similar to that disclosed in Letters Patent No. 1,479,083, dated January 1, 1924, and granted to Howard (I. Morris, for which pur- ;pose the casing 12 comprises a pair of sections 12, 12"; the latter enclosing a magnet 16 arranged to be swung about a pivot. 16

by a system of levers 16, one of which is engaged by the outer end of the rod 18 and the former enclosing a rocker 16 pivotallyu mounted on a rod or shaft 16" and constituting an armature for the magnet 16 and adinkage 22 between the armature 16 and the valve element 17 of the valve mechanism 17. The casing sections 12, 12, are

shaped along their abutting edges for connection with each other in a gas tight manner, being preferably provided with flanges 23 secured together by cap screws 24. The casing section 12 is shaped interiorly to form a conduit 25 leading from the boss 11, a chamber 26 for the armature 16 and linkage, and merging into the boss13, and an.

opening 27 leading from the conduit 25 into the chamber 26, the opening 27 being provided with a ring forming a valve seat 17 for the valve element 17. The linkage 22 preferably comprises an arm 22 connected to the armature 16 and a rod 22 pivotally connected to the arm 22, which rod may comprise the stem of the valve element 17. The wall of the casing section 12 surrounding the valve seat 17 may be shaped to form a hollow boss 12 to e-rmit assembly of and access to the valve e ement 17. The opening in the boss may be closed by a removable plug 28. The boss 12 may also support a strainer 29 to prevent grit and,

foreign matter from flowing to the valve mechanism 17.

In Figs. 2 and 3, the elements 18, 18 of .the thermostat and operating mechanism 16 are shown in the positions they occupy when the temperature of the water is at or above a predetermined degree according to the adjustment of a regulating means indicated as an entirety at 29, in which position the valve element 17 is seated against its seat 17 and shuts off the flow of the gas to the jets 3. 'If now the temperature of the water in the tank 1 (or that portion surrounding the element 18) drops below a certain de gree of temperature, the rod 18* will move toward the left, asviewed in Figs. 2 and 4, which movement in turn will swing the outer end of the magnet 16 upwardly; this latter movement will rock the armature l6 and thus move the valve element 17 upwardly or unseat it, whereupon the gaswill flow to the heating means 2 and be ignited by a pilot burner 30. The jets 3 will remain lighted until the temperature-of the water in thetank 1 reaches the predeterminedtemperature, whereupon the thermostat elementv ment 17 due to its weight and that. of its stem 22, supplemented by the pressure of the gas.

\ 31 indicates a pipe leading from some suitable point above the. valve mechanism 17 to the pilot burner 30, being preferably connected to a nipple or pipe section 32 leading through the boss 11.

33 indicates as an entirety a mechanism for locking the valve mechanism 17 in closed position in the event the pilot burner 30 goes out, either by accident, drop in pressure, or failure of, the sup ly of gas or otherwise; the urpose and o ject being (if the pilot is not urning and capable of igniting the jets 3 when the temperature of the water in the tank 1 falls to or below that point at which the thermostat 18 would cause an opening of thevalve mechanism 17) to positively and in an automatic manner prevent the opening of the valve mechanism 17 and supply of gas to the heating means 2 if for any reason the pilot failsto burn. Of the locking mechanism 33, 34 indicatesa holding system for a suitable medium (gas or liquid) capable of readily expanding under the influence of heat, such medium preferably consisting of a quantity of alcohol, which when heated to form vapor expands within the system. The holding system 34 comprises a casing 35 having a a shell formed from relatively thin sheet is formed with annular corrugations 35 .the upper end which permit it to readily expand and contract. To support the casing 35, the casing section 12 is shaped to provide an integrally connected tubular member 38 depending from its lower wall andcommunicating with the chamber 26 through an opening 38 for a. purpose which will later appear. 'The inner wall of the member 38 is screw threaded to removably receive a plug 39 upon which the casing 35 may be supported, the plug 39 being formed with, an opening 39 through which the pipe 36 extends. Due to the opening 38 leadincr from the chamber 26 into the tubular member 38, the plug 39 is arranged to fit the latter in a gas-tight man ner. in the preferred form of construction, of the pipe 36 extends into threaded connection in the opening 39 and the wall 35 has a depending nipple 40 which is screw threaded into the opening 39 to complete the liquid connection for the pipe 36; the arrangement serving to rigidly support the wall 35 upon and has screw and connect it to the plug 39 and insuring the positive and ready removal of the casing 35 upon the removal of the plug 39. 40 indicates a. link having on its lower end a head -41 preferably secured to the cap 35 and movable upwardly and downwardly therewith. The link 4O extends upwardly through the opening 38? and carries at its upper end ahook 42. The hook 42 extends over the arm 22 to form an operative connection therewith, (a) permitting free movement of the arm 22 .and valve element- 17 so long as the casing 35 is expanded under the expansion influence of the medium with in the holding system or (b) to lock the arm 22 in its lower position (as shown in Fig. 2) and through it and the stem 22 lock the valve element 17' in. seating position, when the casing 35 contracts due to the cooling or fall in temperature of the medium within the holding system 34. The contraction of the casing 35, following the 6001- ing of the medium within its walls, is preferably insured by the provision of a coiled spring 35' arranged between the cap 35 and the casing wall in which the opening 38 is formed. L 43 indicates a device disposed adjacent the pilot burner 30 in position for the flame jet r jets from the burner to lap its exposed face and thus heat it. The device 43 preferably comprises a wall of annular shape surrounding the pilot burner 30 so as to lap or be in position for the pilot jet or jets to contact therewith over a relatively wide area, whereby the wall is heated and remains .wall 44 and cylinder 44 heated so lon as the pilot 30 burns. The wall 43 is re erably formed integrally with the walls orming the well 37, whereby the heat absorbed by the wall 43 will be conducted directly to the well to transmit it to the medium therewithin.

In the preferred form of construction we provide a cylinder 44 having end walls 44, 44 and an intermediate transverse wall 44 forming between the end walls two chambers, the inner one constituting the well 37 and the outer one 37 forming a gas chamber for the pilot 30 which is mounted in an axial opening formed in the end wall 44*, the pipe 31 extending through the wall of the cylinder 44 into the chamber 37. In this form of construction the flame lapping wall 43 is formed integrally with the end and extends entirely around the latter so as to be in position for the flame of the pilot jet to engage. The pilot jet 30 is preferably provided with a pair of ports extending from its lateral sides radially in opposite flame jets will come together above the pilot and la the exposed face of-the wall 43 (see Fig. 5 so that no carbon will collect on and affect the flame ports or collect on the wall 43 adjacent theretoand form an insulation or coating that would prevent heating of the wall 43. 45 indicates openings formed in the outer portions of the wall 43 and serving to supply air to the flame from the pilot jets and tending to prevent'the collection of carbon on the exposed face of the wall. By providin a wall in position to .be heated by the ame from the pilot jets an connecting this wall directly with the wall of the well for the expansion medium we are enabled to utilize to advantage and efficiently the heat of the pilot flame to effect vaporization of the expansion medium and thus through use of pressure within the holding system release t e arm 22, whereby the valve mechanism 17 will be operated directions, whereby the (opened and closed) due to the rise and fall I of the temperature 0 the water in the tank 1 and we insure this result without dan r v of carbon collecting on or around the p1 ot is already set forth, the thermostat 18, o erating. mechanism 16 and valve mechamsm 17 areshown in Fig. 2 in the position to affechclosing of the valve element 17. However, under normal working conditions, the pilot burner 30 will be lighted, and the heat thereof will be conducted by the heated wall 43 to and throu h the wall 44 and heat the'medium (alco l 37. As a result, he medium will be vaporized and effect expansion within the casing 35, thereby extending the latter, lifting the link 40 to the position shown in Fig.

in the chamber or well- U burner 30 and affecting its continuous burn- 6. y In the event the pilot burner goes out (or'is put out), the walls 43 and 44 will cool off and the vapor in the holding system will condense, following which the easing will contract and move the hook 42 of the link downwardly into engagement with or into position to prevent upward movement of the arm 22 and unseating the valve element 17 Accordingly, when the water in the tank 1 cools to a point below that degree of ten'lperature at which the thermostat 18 actuates the operating mechanism 16, movement of the magnet 16 and levers 16 will be ineffective to operate the armature 16 and valve element 17*. 7

46 is a cut-oil of suitable construction disposed in the pipe 10 and operated by a handle 47. a

To those skilled in the art to which our invention relates many changes in construction and widely difl'ering embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Our disclosures and the are not intended to be in What we claim is: 1. In apparatus of the class described, the

any sense limiting.

30 combination with a heating means having a supply pipe forits combustion medium, of a cut oil valve in said supply pipe, a pilot burner for igniting said heating means, a thermostat mechanism operatively connected 33 with the valve element of said valve and having an element affected by said heating means, whereby said valve is automatically controlled, and expansible means havin a device associated with and arranged when said expansible means are in normal position to engage the valve element and lock it in closed position, but whensaid expansible means are expanded to abnormal position to disengage the valve element, said expansible means having aportion disposed in the heat I zone of said pilot burner so as to be heated thereby, whereby the expansible means are maintained in an abnormal position to permit free operation of the valve element.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which that ortion of the expansible means heated by t e pilot burner is provided with a vertically arranged wall disposed at one side of and surrounding the upper portion of saidpilot burner.

3. Ad'apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which that portion of the expansible means heated by the pilot burner is provided with a vertically arranged wall disposed at one side of and surrounding the upper portion of said pilot burner and said wall is formed with an air supply opening.

4. In apparatus of the class described, the combination with a heating means having a supply pipe for its combustion medium, of a valve mechanism for said pipe, a pilot burner, a thermostatic mechanism for controlling the valve element of said valve mechanism, an expansion means comprising a holding system for a fluid medium which is vaporized under the influence of heat, an operative connection between the expansible wall of said system and said valve element arranged to normally lock the latter in closed position, and a wall associated with said pilot burner and arranged in position to be heated thereby and connected with a wallwof said holding system, whereby the vaporization of the medium therein will cause expansion of said expansion medium and maintain .said operative connection in unlocking position. 5. An apparatus in which the operative connection comprises a link that extends into the casing for said valve mechanism and carries a device to engage an element connected to its valve element.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 in which the holding system comprises a casing descrlption herein are purely illustratlve and h which the holding system comprises a casing associated with said valve mechanism and havmg an expanding wall and a well associated with said pilot burner and connected to said casing and the wall to be heated is connected to the wall of said well.

8, In apparatus of the class described, the combination with a heating means having a supply pipe, of a valve mechanism for said pipe, a pilot burner for igniting said heating means, a thermostatic mechanism for controlling the valve element of said valve mechanism, a housing for elements of said thermostatic mechanism having a tubular member, a casing within said tubular member having an expansion wall, a well for holding a quantity of a fluid, said well being connected with said casing, a wall associated with said pilot burner and heated thereby and connected to the wall of said well, whereby the heatconducted to the fluid therein will be vaporized, to cause the expansion of said expansion wall, and an operative connection between said expansion wall and a part connected to said valve element arranged to lock the latter closed when the as claimed in claim 4 fluidin said well is below its vaporizing temcylinder.

10. In apparatus of the class described, the combination with a tank for a fluid to be heated, a heating means and a pipe for supplying the combustion medium for said heating means, of a pilot pipe connected to said supply pipe and having a burner associated with said heating means, a single valve in said supply pipe to cut off or permit flow of the combustion medium therethrough, a thermostat acted on by the fluid in said tank to automatically operate said valve, a conduit for an expansible fluid so arranged that a portion of its wall is heated by said burner to effect vaporization of the fluid, an expansionwall actuated by the pressure due to vaporization of the expansible fluid, and a device operated by said expansion wall and arranged to engage with and lock the valve element to its seat when the fluid in said conduit is below that temperature at which it vaporizes and to disengage therefrom when the fluid is in a vaporized state.

11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 10 in which the expansion wall comprises acorrugated shell connected to said conduit to receive the vapor and the head of said shell carries the device to effect engagement and disengagement with said valve element.

12. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a tank for a fluid, a heating means for heating the fluid in said tank, said means including a burner and a pilot associated therewith, a pipe for supplying fuel to said burner and said pilot, a single valve in said pipe beyond the connection of the pilot therewith, a thermostat mechanism for opening and closing said valve, an expansion meanscontaining a fluid capable of being vaporized under the influence of heat and having a well for the fluid arranged to be heated by said pilot, a device operatively connected to said expansion wall and said valve serving to lock said valve. to its seat when the fluid in said expansion means is at a temperature below that at which it vaporizes and to. release said valve for normal operation under the control of said thermostat mechanism when the fluid is vaporized.

13. In apparatus of the class described, the combination with a fluid tank, heating means therefor, a thermostatically controlled valve for said heating means, a pilot for said heating means, and means for shutting ofl supply of fuel to said heating means when the pilot is extinguished, said means having a holder for a vaporizing fluid, one wall of said holder being extended and disposed in position for lapping by the flame from said pilot.

14. In apparatus as claimed in claim 4 in which the holding system includes a chamber forming a well for the expanslon medium.

and another chamber forming a fuel supply for the pilot and the pilot projecting centrally from the end wall of the latter chamber and said end wall being extended in radial directions, whereby the flame from the pilot laps therewith to heat the expansion medium.

In testimony whereof, we have hereunto subscribed our names.

MILEY W. THOMAS. PAUL H. HAMILTON. 

